Atomizing device



Feb. 15 Q1927.

1,617,681 w. J. GATES ATOMIZING DEVICE.

Filed Dec. 9, 1924 I 1 i a 1 9 /0 I 1 I A; /7 1 A71 Inventor;

William J afas', wwwz 10 Jtwrney.

Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,617,681 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. GATES, OF LOS ANG-ELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN AUTO LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OI! LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

'ATOMIZING DEVICE.

Application filed December 9, 1924. Serial No. 754,875.

In this specification, and the accompany:

ing drawing, I shall describe and show a preferred form of my invention, and specifically mention certain of its more important 6 objects, I 'do not limit myself to the forms disclosed, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of my invention as hereinaft-er claimed; and objects and advantages, other than those specifically mentioned, are

included within its scope.

My invention relates to atomizing valves and among its more salient objects are; first, to provide means for saturating a pressure air stream with water vapor, or other vapors, at ordinary temperatures; second, to supply a convenient means for proportioning the flow of air and liquid to the device to enable it to work satisfactorily under relatively :wide variations of airand liquid pressures, and under relatively wide differences between the respective pressures; third, to furnish facilities for controlling the discharge of the vapor saturated air, independent of the proportioning adjustment; and, fourth, to accomplish the above in a device of great simplicity and relatively small cost.

Among other uses it will be found that my invention is particularly adapted for quick- 30 ly washing automobiles and the like where there are accumulations of hard dried mud, and where for one reason or another it is desired to use a minimum of water. In such use it has been found that a water saturated air currentat a relatively high velocity not only soaks and softens the mud with great rapidity, but causes its dislodgment much more quickly than it can be 'done by the use of a water jet operating at a permissible velocity. There are many secondary advantages in the use of air in this way, such as freedom from splashing, economy of water consumption, and greater neatness of accomplishment.

Similarly, in the process of oil-spraying railway trucks my device accomplishes the work with great rapidity and thoroughness, and by the use of an exceedingly small quantity of oil compared with older methods. My several objects in the invention are tained in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which the figure is a longitudinal central section of the complete device, with certain of the working parts shown in elevation for, greater clearness.

The atomizing portion of the 'deviceconi. prises a specially shaped body 5, tapped at 6 for connection to a source of compressed air, and at Tfor connection to a water system, or other liquid supply. An interior partition 8 separates the incoming fluids, and these are -confined in chambers 9 and 10 except as permitted to escape therefrom throughneedle valves 11 and 12 respectively. In other words the rate of flow of air from chamber 9 through orifice 13 may be regulated by needle valve 11. Similarly the flow of water, or other liquid, from chamber 10 through orifice 14, may be regulated by needle valve 12.

A preferred form for needle valves for this purpose is one having an end-slotted shank 15 adapted for screw driver adjustment. These valves are mounted in special bushings 16 whichare provided with stuiiing boxes and gland nuts 17, and the shanks are enclosed within screw caps 18. It has been found in the use of my device that, when the adjustment of the needle valves isonce properly made to suit the conditions of pressure and use, there seldom is any necessity for changing them. This form of construction reduces the tendency of operators to tamper with the adjustment, without making the valves inaccessible in case of necessity. It is possible, of course, to lock the'valves in adjusted position by various means that will readily occur to those having occasion to do this.

Above the atomizing device, and connect ed thereto by nipple 19, is a discharge regu lating valve casing 20 having a relatively large interior chamber 21. The form illustrated is a plug cock, controlled by handle 22, the flow being through the slot 23 in plug 24-, as indicated by arrow 25. The outlet 26 of this valve is connected in any convenient manner to a hose, and operators nozzle, for direct use on the work.

The upper portion of body 5 is interior-1y divided as shown in the figure, there being a relatively large outer flow passage 27 for air, and a smaller central flow passage 28 for liquid. The latter terminates in a small atomizing nozzle 29, extending well within and concentric with nipple 19. This con struction affords, in cooperation with the In operation the air, after passing orifice 13, flows upward as indi atcd by arrow 30 and acquires a high velocity in passing through the annular passage 31 constituting a cylindrical throat. The liquid jet issuing from nozzle 29 encounters this high velocity air current, is atomized by it, and caused to thoroughly impregnate the air stream. After passing through nipple 19, this moisture laden air is then suddenly expanded in chamber 21, and this results in partially vaporizing the already atomized liquid particles in the air current. The stream then passes through slot 28 in plug 24; to the operators hose and nozzle in the form o1 a pressure stream of air thoroughly saturated With vapor. This stream is almost invisible When needle valves 11 and 12 are properly adjusted, on account of the fine automization and partial vaporization of the liquid, but nevertheless will instantly saturate anything against which it is directed. The flow 01 the stream is regulated by handle 22 as already stated.

It Will be obvious that my device may be used in any position such as horizontal, vertical 0r inverted. It will also be apparent that a plurality of these devices may be connected to a pair of air and liquid headers, and spaced for convenient use in garages, car Washing tracks, and similar locations, Where rapid Washing, spraying, and similar Work, is to be done with a minimum consumption of air and liquid.

The invention is Well adapted for a large variety of uses not specifically mentioned herein, and all such uses are included with in its scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described,

the respective flows may be accurately regulated and apportioned.

2. A device of the character described, adapted for impregnating a stream of compressed air With Water vapor, comprising; adjacent pressure chambers for air and Water; a pressure flow passage communi' eating with said air chamber through a needle valve and having a cylindrical constriction of substantial length and substantial reduction of cross-sectional area therein; a pressure flow passage communicating With said Water chamber through a second needle valve and tern'iinating in a nozzle having its outlet intermediately placed in the 1 axis of said constriction; an exoansion chamber immediately beyond said constriction into which the constriction alinfuptly expands; and a valve immediately beyond said expansion chamber for regulating the flow therefrom; said needle valves being independently adjustable eXteriorly of the device for accurately regulating and apportioning the flows in said flow passages.

XVILLIAM J. GATES. 

